Canada is officially labelling seven Latin American criminal groups as terrorist organisations under its Criminal Code. This move, announced by Public Safety Minister David McGuinty, provides Canadian law enforcement with an additional tool to combat fentanyl trafficking.

A day after the US government officially branded eight Latin American organised crime groups as "foreign terrorist organisations," the list was made public. It includes the Sinaloa Cartel from Mexico, the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, and La Nueva Familia Michoacana. "The measures will help keep fentanyl off Canadian streets and from entering the United States," McGuinty told a news conference. Canada made this announcement in response to US President Donald Trump's claim that fentanyl trafficking and illegal immigration into the US were the reasons behind his threat to impose tariffs. He warned of a 25% tariff on all Canadian goods, except for energy products, which would face a 10% tariff.

Trump has delayed putting those tariffs into effect until at least March 4. U.S. Border Patrol data shows that less than 1% of all seized fentanyl comes from the northern border. However, Canadian officials have expressed their willingness to take stronger action against the deadly synthetic opioid. The newly designated terrorist organisations include Cartel del Golfo and Carteles Unidos from Mexico, Tren de Aragua from Venezuela, and Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13), which started in California but became a powerful criminal group in El Salvador. This designation means that these groups’ assets and property will be frozen. "Banks and brokerages will freeze these entities' assets, which can then be the subject of seizure, restraint or forfeiture," said McGuinty.

Additionally, it is illegal to intentionally take part in or aid any of the activities of a terrorist organisation that is on the list. The listing procedure starts with intelligence assessments that show whether a company has engaged in, attempted to engage in, or assisted terrorist activities. A stringent procedure that "must meet a legal threshold" is followed before a group is listed as a terrorist entity, according to McGuinty. If the public safety minister believes the criteria have been met, they can suggest to the federal cabinet that the organisation should be added to the list. RCMP Commissioner Mike Duheme stated that the RCMP has information showing that criminal cartels are active in Canada. 

"There's also strong intelligence that Canadians have actually moved to Mexico and South America to facilitate the transport of certain commodities into Canada," Duheme said. Canada has appointed Kevin Brosseau, a former RCMP officer and national security adviser, as its fentanyl czar to help prevent drugs from entering the U.S. The Canadian government is also investing 1.3 billion Canadian dollars ($910 million) to strengthen border security. This includes adding new helicopters, advanced technology and more personnel.